Centre allocates Rs 118.55 cr for fire service

Hyderabad, Dec 26 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Home Minister K Jana Reddy today said the Centre has alloted Rs 118.55 crore for strengthening the fire and emergency services in the state during 2006.

Inaugurating the new fire station building here, Mr Reddy said about 21 new fire stations will be constructed and 162 new fire fighting vehicles, purchased by utilising the Centre funds.

Observing that the fire services department had identified 61,000 hazardous premises where the fire safety norms were not being implemented, Mr Reddy said notices have been served on the cencerned persons to take necessary steps for preventing fire accidents in the future.

The fire services department had protected the properties worth about Rs 2,006 crore from fire accidents and 180 lives have also been protected in fire accidents during 2006, he added.

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